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Parents' Guide to

Adventure Time: Islands

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Beautiful animated miniseries explores a deep backstory.

Movie NR 2017 88 minutes
Adventure Time: Islands Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

S S.
S S. Parent
February 17, 2023
age 16+

Is this 2023 or 1983?

Are you kidding? Even the female blob has to be objectified and have large breasts? I thought we'd be seeing less of this crap by now. Rated 16+ only b/c hopefully by then teen girls will be just as ticked off as the rest of us by this continued sexualization of female characters. Talk about lack of creativity.
Minisu
Minisu Parent
January 17, 2022
age 2+

Adventure Time: Islands Teaches Kids About Empathy Also Encourages Kids To Think About How Other People Are Feeling Also Teaches Younger Children To Think About What’s Right To Do And What’s Not Right To Do Also Has A Positive Message “We All Make Mistakes It’s Okay To Try Again!” Definitely A Must Watch For Kids 2+ Years Old

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A mysterious alien ship washes up on the shores of an Ooo beach, launching ADVENTURE TIME: ISLANDS. The ship is looking for humans, Susan Strong (Jackie Buscarino) in particular, though the ship is also interested in Finn (Jeremy Shada). But before the ship can tell the humans why it came, Jake (John DiMaggio) smashes it and sends the trio of friends on an odyssey across the ocean. Susan remembers a distant, traumatic past on an island with humans like her; Finn's roots, too, are connected with the island Susan remembers only in visions. What will the two of them find when they reach their destination? And how will it change the rest of their lives?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

This enchanting entry in the Adventure Time world deepens emotional stakes while serving up absurdity and relatable pain in turns. Finn's past has been alluded to on Adventure Time but never fully explored; here it is: his parents, his upbringing, how he came to Ooo, all wrapped up in an a tale of an epic journey with friends.

It wouldn't be Adventure Time unless it were deeply silly, and it is: Sea creatures talk (and talk, droning on about their ideas for children's books), giant candy monsters guard a seashore, weather attacks, and jellyfish make you see visions but can be punched into the sky. Islands is silly enough, in fact, for very young kids, yet rich and deep enough for adults, who will enjoy seeing nods to sci-fi alternate-reality movies and books such as Mothra, The Matrix, and Ready Player One.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss how Adventure Time: Islands compares to the real world. What aspects of Finn, Susan, and Jake's world are rooted in fantasy? Is any of it relevant to the real world? What place does fantasy have in entertainment? Does entertainment always have to have a strong message, or can it just be fun?

  • How does Finn exhibit courage and empathy in his actions? How do Jake and Finn solve problems with teamwork?

  • Why do characters sometimes use weapons or violence to solve problems? What would happen in real life if a kid used the same kinds of weapons? Do you think it's funny to watch mild violence like this? Can you separate the show's use of weapons with what's appropriate in real life?

Movie Details

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